Machine for expanding sheet metal.



W. H. cooLEY.

MACHINE FOR EXPANDING SHEET METAL.

Lf 5. b 5%/ MMP APPLICATION FILED SEPT. B, 1908.

W. H. GODLEY.

MACHINE FOR EXPANDING SHEET METAL.

APPLICATION FILED snPT.a,19os; l

909,065. Patented Jan. 5, 199.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

WILLIAM. H. COOLEY, OF BROCKPORT, NEW YORK.

MACHINE FOR EXPANDING SHEET METAL.

To all whom 'it 'may concern:

Beit known that I, WILLIAM H. CooLEY, a citizen yof the United States, and a resident of Brockport, in the county of Monroe and State of New York, have invented a new and Improved Machine for Expanding Sheet Metal, of which the following is a specica-` tion.

This invention relates to means for expanding metal after it has been properly cut and corrugated, as will be explained. In order that the cut metal may be engaged at the keys or bonds and such keys or bonds" drawn in. straight lines, after there has been formed in the metal alternating and over- `lapping rows of cuts in substantially the usual way, it may be corrugated in a direction transverse tothe direction of the cuts in such a way that alternate rows of bonds or keys are pressed in. opposite directions, and I prefer that the metal be so corrugated that the corrugations will conform substantially to the contour of a series of dividing bars arranged transversely of the direction of the cuts and between two such transversely arranged adjacent series of meshes in the ex panded metal. When thus corrugated, it is necessary only to bend every other row of bars in a direction opposite to that in which they extend in the corrugated sheet, while every intermediate row of bars is similarly drawn along that distance represented by the space between transversely extending adjacent rows of keys or bonds in the expanded metal. l

In accordance with my present invention, I provide a series of contmuously traveling fingers adapted to engage such a out and corrugated sheet at the keys or bonds and draw such keys 0r bonds along in straight lines. For engaging and drawing the keys in this way, I make use of continuously traveling members having thereon projections adapted to engage the cut and corrugated metal at such bonds or keys.y Such yprojections ma be carried'preferably by any suitable en less members o erably supported on suitable rotatable e ements, or such projections may obviously be arranged upon a suitable cylinder..l In the accompanying drawings l have shown the latter arrangement. In expanding the metal in this way, itis necessary to engage onl every other row of keys or bonds, that is, t ie cut and corru- Specifcation of Letters Patent. Application led September 8i, 1908. Serial No. 451,999.

Patented J'an. 5, 1909.

gated metal may be engaged only at the eys in every other corrugation. 'lhe metal as itis expanded is drawn preferably in a plane substantially transverse to the plane of the unex anded metal and the unexpanded meta is fed towards the expanding mechanism in'such a way as to ermit of the metal being readily engaged y such expanding mechanism.

The accompanying drawings show only c such parts of an expanding mechanism embodying my invention as are necessary to illustrate the same. Such drawings are as follows Figure l is a front elevation of a part of the machine,` while Fig. 2 shows that art of from the machine seen in Fig. 1 as viewe the rlght, the plane of the section of Fig. 2

being substantially that of the right hand edge of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a top or plan View of part 4of the table and guiding mechanism for the corrugated and the expanded metal. Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional View of a part of the machine, the plane of the section being substantially the same as that of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 shows a portion of a sheet of the cut and corrugated metal as prepared for expansion by means of my machine.

Similar letters refer to `similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the drawings-#a machine embodying my invent-ion may have side frame ieces A between which are bolted the plates P, and P1, as well as also the support and guideway for the metal before it is expanded, the construction of which will be described later. At the top of each side member A are located bearings for a main shaft S havinor secured thereon the cylindrical member carr ving radially projecting teeth b. This cylin( er B extends between the side members A of the frame, while outside, of the side members A and on the left hand end of this shaft S, as seen in Fig. 1, is secured a spur gear G. On the front side of the frame pieces A are secured bearings'for a shaft s, on the left hand end of which is secured the spur gear g meshing with the gear G. On this shaft s and just within the frame pieces A there are secured two wheels C havmg studs c projecting from the inner faces thereof and towards the center of the machine, only one of such wheels being seenj in Figs. 1 and 2, together withttheir coperat R having ratchet teeth formed on their rear edges, being the edges seen to the right in Fig. 2. These rack bars R are supported upon studs s1 engaging through slots r therefor in such bars R and such studs s1 are rigidly secured in the cross pieces a forming arts of the outside frame members A. gimilar or other suitable guiding and supporting mechanism may be provided for the lower ends of the bars R. To these cross pieces a there is secured the upper end of the rear and fixed ortion D of the guiding frame for the cut an corrugated metal. The cut and corrugated metal, as seen at m, is held between the plate D and the plate D1 pivotally securedl thereto at its lower end. On the 'u per end of this plate D1 is seen a ,cross fiar d* having on its ends pivotally secured latches h, as seen in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4, adapted to engage suitable studs h, projecting from the bar d on the front side of the member D at its upper end, to hold the plate D in the psition indicated in full lines in Fig. 2, being its operative position, and from which position it may be swung to the position indicated in dotted lines at D2 for the purpose of inserting a sheet of the corrugated metal m to be expanded. The lates D and D1 extend downwardly to a su 'cient distance to receive the largest sheet of metal to be expanded by the machine, and this may vary according to circumstances.

NVorkin-g freely up and do'wn between the members D and D1 is seena bar V having ears or lugs v projecting to the left therefrom and through slots o therefor in the-plate D, as seen in Fig. 2. On the ears v are pivotally sup orted the latches ful actuated by means o the springs v2 to hold them in engagement with the teeth on the rack bars R. Near the upper end of the member D are provided ears u forming bearings for rollers U, over which pass the cords w secured to the weights W and to the guide barV in such a way that the weights W tend to raise the guide bar V to draw and hold the metal upwardly. Such weights W need not be, however, sufficient to positively feed the metal upwards, a1- though they may be if so desired. They should be of sufficient weight, however, to positively hold the metal at any time to the position to which it has been fed by the positively o erating feeding mechanism. these rac bars R and their cooperating and connecting parts there are two, only one of them being seen in Figs. 1 and 2. There are likewise two weights VV and connecting cords w working over pulleys U, only one of such duplicate parts being seen in Figs. 1 and 2.-

lhe plate P1 secured between the side members A constitutes a bed upon which the expanded metal -m is forced to the right, as.

seen in Figs. 2, 3 and 4, such metal m1 being forced underneath the plate P having fingers p thereon extending to the left, as seenin Figs. 2, 3 and 4 and to the front of the machine underneath the cylinder B and between the rows of teeth b thereon in such a way that the expanded metal is caused to engage under such teeth p as it is forced to the right by such teeth b engaging the same at oints denominated the keys or bonds an successively at those rows of such keys or bonds seen to the right in Figs. 2, 3 and 4 and against the member D1. The plate T also ,has fingers extending to the right in such figures, or to the rear of the machine, undervneath the cylinder B and between the rows of teeth thereon in such a way as to constitute limiting stops against the under sides of which the upper edge of the corrugated metal is fed, such teeth t engaging over the metal at that row of corrugations coming against the late D in the supporting mechanism for t e cut and corrugated metal.

In operating my machine, the plate Dl is swung t0 the position indicated in dotted lines at D2 and the guide plate V lowered 'sufficiently to permit of the insertion of the sheet of metal 'm above the same and underneath the lingers t, then the door D is swung to the position indicated in full lines in Fig. 2 and locked in that position by means of the latches 71, andthe machine being started, the metal m is fed upwardly against the under sides of the fingers t engaging those rows of keys coming against the plate D, while those rows of keys coming a lainst the plate Dl are engaged by the teeth as indicated in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4 and drawn to the right in expanding the metal. As the Vmetal is drawn to the right, the uppermost row of keys engaging under the teeth t being drawn away from under such teeth t. the metal is fed upwardly by means of either the weights W. if sufficient to force the metal u Wardly, but

referably by means lof the fee( ing mechanism already described, comprising the rack bars R and the means for actuating the same and the spring actuated pawls 'v1 carried by the guide late V. It will be noticed that the levers have a small amount of free motion between the studs lnl and nl on the upper ends of the rack bars R, in order that the uppermost row of keys engaging under the teeth t may be drawn to the right and away from under such teeth, While the right hand ends of the levers E pass from the position indicated in Fig. 2 into en agement with the upper studs n, after whic the rack bars R are drawn upwardlya distance equaling the space between the teeth on the right hand edges thereof, the parts being so adjusted angularly as to result `in the sequence of operations just above described.

It will of course be at once understood that instead of the arrangement shown in the drawings, the cut and corrugated metal may be-fed either upwardly or downwardly to the expanding mechanism and the expansion may be effected by drawing the metal in a horizontal direction if so desired, the action, howevenbeing the same in either case and as already described.

What I claim is 1. In a machine for the purpose described, means for sup orting a sheet of cut and corrugated meta means for successively engaging the sheet at series of keys arranged transversely of the corrugations therein and forcing such keys in straight lines in a plane substantially transverse tothe original plane of the sheet to be expanded away from the next succeedin series of keys engaged thereby substantial y without stretching or cutting the metal, the distance which such successively engaged series of keys are to begv spaced apart 1n the expanded metal and means for advancing such sheet transversely of the direction of the cuts at successive intervals, distances equaling the lengths of the portions ,of such sheet withdrawn therefrom at correspondingly successive steps in the expanding operation.

2. In a machine for the purpose described, means for sup orting a sheet of cut and corrugated meta means for successively engaging the sheet at series of keys arranged transversely of the corrugations therein and for forcing each such series of keys in straight lines away from the next succeeding series of keys engaged thereby substantially without stretching or cutting the metal the distance which such two successively engaged series of keys are to be spaced apart in the expanded metal and means for advancing such sheet transversely of the directioniof the cuts at successive intervals distances equaling .the lengths of the portions of such sheet withdrawn therefrom at correspondingly successive steps in the expandingoperation.

3. In a machine for the purpose described,

means for sup orting a sheet of cut and corrugated meta means for successively engaging the sheet at serles of points arranged transversely of the corrugations ,thereinand forcing such polnts 1n straight lines in a plane substantially transverse tothe original plane of the sheet to be expanded away from the next succeeding series of vpoints engaged thereby substantially without stretching or cutting the metal the distance which such two successive series' of points engaged thereby are to be spaced apart in the ex )and'ed metal and means for-advancing such sheet k.rugated meta transversely of the direction of the cuts at successive intervals, distances equaling the lengths of the portions of such sheet withdrawn therefrom at correspondingly successive steps in the expanding operation.

4. In a machine for thepurpose described, means for supporting a sheet of the cut and corrugated metal; means for successively engaging the sheet at seriesv of points arranged transverselyof the corrugations therein and forcin such points in straight lines away from t e next succeeding series of points engaged thereby substantially without stretching or cutting the metal the distance which such two successive series of points engaged thereby are to be spaced apart in-the expanded metal and means for advancing such sheet transversely of the direction of the cuts at successive intervals distances equalin'g the lengths of the portions of such sheet withdrawn therefrom at correspondingly successive steps in the expanding operation.

5. In a machine for the purpose described, means for supporting a sheet of cut and corrugated metal; means for successively engaging the sheet at series of keys arranged transversely of the corrugations therein and forcing such keys in straight lines in a plane substantially transverse to the original plane of the sheet to be expanded away from the next succeeding series of ke s engaged thereby the distance permitted y such corrugations substantially without stretching or cutting the metal and means for advancing such sheet transversely of the direction of the cuts at successive intervals, distances e ualing the lengths of the portions of such s eet withdrawn therefrom at correspondingly successive steps in the expanding operation.

6. In a machine for the purpose described, means for sup orting a sheet of cut and corrugated meta means for successively engaging the sheet at series of keys arranged transversely of the corrugationsV therein and for. forcing each such series of keys in straight lines away from the next succeeding series of keys engaged thereby the distance permitted by such corrugations substantially without stretching or cutting the metal and means for advancing such sheet transversely of the direction of the cuts at successive intervals distances e ualing the lengths of the portions of such s eet withdrawn therefrom at correspondingly successive steps in the expanding operation.

7. In a machine for the purpose described, means for supporting a sheet of cut and cormeans for successively engaging the sheet at series of points arranged transversel of the corrugations therein and forcing suc points in straight lines in a plane substantially transverse to the original plane of the sheet to be expanded away from the next succeeding series of pointsv en aged thereby the distance permitted by suc corrugations substantiall Without stretching or cutting the metal an means for advancing such sheet transversely of the direction of the cuts at successive intervals distances e ualing the lengths of the portions of such s veet Withdrawn therefrom at correspondingly successive steps in the expanding operation,

8. In a machine for the purpose described, means for supporting a sheet of out and corrugated meta means for successively engaging the sheet at series of points arranged transversely of the corrugations therein and forcing such points in straight lines away from the next succeeding series of points engaged thereby the distance permitted by such corrugations substantially without stretching or cutting the metal and means for advancing-such sheet transversely of the direction of the cuts at successive intervals distances e ualing the lengths of the portions of such s eet Withdrawn therefrom at correspondingly successive steps in the expanding operation.

9. In a machine for the purpose described, means for supporting a sheet of the cut and corrugated metal having corrugations therein extending transversely of the series of keys and corresponding in contour substantially to the contours of any two bars on the same side of a mesh with the connecting key between them in the expanded metal; and means for engaging the corrugated sheet and ,bending every other transversely extending row of bars in substantially the opposite direction from that in which they lie"in the corrugated sheet. i

10. In a machine for the purpose described, means for supporting a sheet of cut and corrugated metal and means for engaging the sheet and forcing or drawing points correspondingly located on opposite sides of the cuts relatively apart su stantially without stretching or cutting the metal in planes perpendicular to the original direction of the cuts and parallel to eachother. v

y 11. Inamachine for the purpose described, means for supporting a sheet of cut and corrugated metal and means for engaging the sheet and forcing or drawing points correspondingly located on opposite sides of the cuts relatively apart substantially Without stretching or cutting the metal in substantially straight lines in planes perpendicular to the original direction of the cuts.

12. In a machine for the purpose described, means for supporting a sheet of cut and corrugated metal and means for forcing or' drawing points correspondingly located ony opposite sides of the cuts relatively apart substantially without stretching or cuttin T the j'.

metal in substantially straight lines in p anes perpendicular to the original direction of the cuts and parallel to each other.

WM. H. COOLEY. 

